Dining at The Wade: Current, Current Bar and what to expect
Current is The Wade’s on-site seasonal American restaurant serving breakfast (for a surcharge), lunch and dinner; Current Bar is the hotel’s cocktail-focused bar and small-plates spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Expect polished, lakeside dining near Navy Pier, weekday social hour, and a lively lobby bar elsewhere on property.
In this guide
Dining overview at The Wade
The Wade’s primary food-and-drink outlets are Current (the hotel’s seasonal American restaurant) and Current Bar (the restaurant’s cocktail and small-plates bar). Both are located on the hotel property and are intended for hotel guests and outside diners.
Meals are not included with standard room rates — breakfast at Current is available for a surcharge and reservations are recommended for busier times or weekends. The hotel also runs a weekday Social Hour at Current.
- On-site restaurant: Current — breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Bar: Current Bar — signature cocktails and curated small plates
- Breakfast at Current is offered for an extra fee
- Reservations can be made by phone or via OpenTable (see concierge)
| Service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Cooked-to-order breakfast at Current (fee applies) |
| Lunch & Dinner | Seasonal American dishes at Current; Current Bar serves cocktails and small plates |
| Social Hour | Weekday Social Hour at Current, typically 4:00–6:00 PM |
Current — menu style and what you'll find
Current focuses on seasonal American cuisine with straightforward preparations and bold flavors, drawing on local lakeside influences. Expect a mix of cooked-to-order breakfast items, shareable plates, pastas, sandwiches and composed entrees at lunch and dinner.
The restaurant lists vegan options and a seasonal patio (the Chandon Garden) that operates in warmer months. Menu specifics change with seasonality; ask staff about daily specials and vegetarian or vegan choices.
- Seasonal American dishes
- Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge)
- Vegan menu options available
- Seasonal outdoor patio (Chandon Garden) open May–September
| Meal | Typical offerings |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Cooked-to-order entrees, morning classics |
| Lunch | Sandwiches, salads, small plates |
| Dinner | Pasta, composed entrees, shareable items |
Current Bar and lobby bar — drinks and atmosphere
Current Bar is described as the restaurant’s social hub for signature cocktails and curated small plates — a good choice for pre-dinner drinks or a casual late-night bite. The property also maintains a Living Room Bar in the lobby that serves craft cocktails and stays open late.
If you want a lively scene, the bar areas are where hotel guests and visitors mingle. The Living Room Bar features DJ entertainment and bottle service on some nights (hours and programming may vary).
- Current Bar: signature cocktails, small plates; part of the restaurant
- Living Room Bar (lobby): craft cocktails, open late (listed until 2:00 AM on some sources)
- Bar programming and hours can change — check with concierge on arrival
| Bar | Focus |
|---|---|
| Current Bar | Cocktails and small plates; social hub near Current |
| Living Room Bar | Lobby cocktails, late-night atmosphere |
Practicals: hours, reservations and special hours
Current posts set hours for breakfast and dinner across the week; these can vary by season or special events at the hotel. Reservations are accepted by phone and via OpenTable, and are a good idea for weekend brunch or dinner.
The Wade runs a weekday Social Hour at Current. The Chandon Garden patio operates seasonally (May–September) and may have different service hours.
- Reservations: call Current or book on OpenTable (concierge can assist)
- Social Hour: Monday–Friday 4:00–6:00 PM at Current
- Seasonal patio: Chandon Garden open May–September
| Day | Hours (Current — as listed) |
|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 6:30–11:00 AM and 4:00–11:00 PM |
| Fri | 6:30 AM–4:00 PM and 4:00 PM–12:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:00 AM–4:00 PM and 4:00 PM–12:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:00 AM–4:00 PM and 4:00 PM–11:00 PM |
Who the dining options suit and accessibility
Current and Current Bar serve a mix of sightseers, couples and business travelers staying at The Wade; menus and the social hour make the restaurant suitable for both casual and more polished meals. The outlets welcome both hotel guests and outside diners.
The hotel provides accessible routes to public dining spaces and maintains accessible facilities; if you need specific accommodations (menu assistance, wheelchair access to a particular table), request them when you reserve or speak with the concierge on arrival.
- Good for business and leisure travelers
- Accessible entry and seating available — request needs in advance
- Breakfast is charged separately from room rates
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Accessible seating | Ask when making a reservation or notify concierge |
| Dietary restrictions | Speak to server or manager for vegan/vegetarian options |
| Large groups | Reserve in advance — Current and event spaces can cater larger parties |
Tips for planning meals during your stay
If you plan to use Current for breakfast before heading out, factor in the surcharge and allow extra time for cooked-to-order service. For brunches, weekend mornings can be busier — reservations help avoid waits.
For evenings with events at The Wade (weddings or meetings), the restaurant and bar hours or availability may shift; check with the concierge if you have an event on property and want to dine on-site.
- Book ahead for weekend brunch or dinner
- Ask concierge about the Chandon Garden patio when visiting between May and September
- Confirm bar and restaurant hours on the day of your visit — they can change for private events
| Scenario | Advice |
|---|---|
| Weekend brunch | Reserve a table in advance |
| Late-night drinks | Living Room Bar may be open later than Current Bar |
| Event day | Check with concierge for any dining changes |
